US006366042B1

(12) United States Patent

(16) Patent N6.=

Gerbetz

(45) Date of Patent:

(54) ANTI-PINCH POWER WINDOW SYSTEM

75

Apr. 2, 2002

(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmKenneth D. Labudda

AND METHOD
(

US 6,366,042 B1

(57)

tzRbrtGbtWk
ILUS
nven or
0 e
er e Z au egan
( )

ABSTRACT

A method (100) for closing a motor-driven WindoW com

(73) Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, IL (US)

prises the Steps of determining (102) a Window gaP> and

(*)

WindoW gap. The speed is selected based on the Window gap

and is reduced as the WindoW gap approaches a pinch region
such that the pinch-force is limited to a safe value. Avehicle

raising (104) the WindoW at a speed dependent upon the

Notice:

Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this

patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

poWer-WindoW system (400) comprises a WindoW assembly

(21) APPL NO; 09/783,342

(22) Filed?

(410), a battery (420), an electric motor (430), a mechanical

assembly (440), and a control circuit (450). Control circuit
(450) monitors the WindoW gap and supplies drive voltage to

Feb- 14, 2001

(51)

Int. c1.7 ................................................ .. H02P 1/22

the electric 10min dependence on the Window gaP> so as

(52)

US Cl

318/286 318/266 318/466

to control the speed of the WindoW in accordance With the

318/470; 49/28; 49/26

includes a regulator circuit (460) and a processor (470), and

the drive voltage is substantially unaffected by at least some

(58)

Field of Search ............................... .. 318/445, 466,

318/470, 266, 268, 286; 49/26, 28

Primary ExaminerRobert E. Nappi
Assistant ExaminerRita Leykin

disclosed method (100). Preferably, control circuit (450)

changes in the battery voltage.

START

20 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets

100

DETERMINE
wmoow GAP (y) '02
i _____________________ _ _

I_0_4

|
:

SET

S = S1 (full speed)

YES

1l2\
|

S : SsET

|
|
l
l
l

,108 :
,

v = v1 (full voltage) :
|

|___r.
SET

5 = 83 (min speed)
V = V3 (min voltage)
SET

3 = 54 (full speed)
V = V4 (full voltage)

if

U.S. Patent

Apr. 2,2002

Sheet 1 0f4

DETERMINE

US 6,366,042 B1

m2

WINDOW GAP (y)

Ir

__

Q4

|
|
|
|

| HZ\

SET

= 82

- V

SET

l
|
|

8 = S3 (min speed)
V = V3 (min voltage)

l1Z0\
I

SET

S = 34 (full speed)

V = V4 (full voltage)

I
|

U.S. Patent

Apr. 2, 2002

Sheet 2 0f 4

US 6,366,042 B1

M WINDOW SPEED

(3)

FIG. 2

30mm

0 MOTOR VOLTAGE

(V)

FIG- 3

30mm

60mm

U.S. Patent

Apr. 2, 2002

Sheet 3 0f 4

US 6,366,042 B1

WINDOW ASSEMBLY

FIG. 4

U.S. Patent

Apr. 2, 2002

Sheet 4 0f 4

US 6,366,042 B1

DUTY CYCLE (Z)

VB
(VOLTS)

y = 30mm

y = 36mm

y = 42mm

y = 48mm

y = 54mm

y = 60mm

20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6

61
64
67
70
73
78
84
89
95
98
100
100
100
100
100

63
66
69
73
77
82
87
93
97
99
100
100
100
100
100

66
69
72
76
80
85
90
96
99
100
100
100
100
100
100

69
72
75
79
84
89
94
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100
100
100
100
100
100

71
75
78
83
87
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100
100
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100

74
78
82
86
90
94
98
99
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

FIG. 5

US 6,366,042 B1
1

ANTI-PINCH POWER WINDOW SYSTEM

AND METHOD

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 describes a method 100 for closing a motor-driven

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

WindoW, Where the WindoW is understood to include WindoW

The present invention relates to the general subject of

power WindoWs. More particularly, the present invention

glass (i.e., the portion that actually opens and closes) and a

relates to a system and method for closing a motor-driven

WindoW
determining
frame.
(102)
Method
a WindoW
100 comprises
gap de?ned
tWoasmain
a distance,
steps: y,

WindoW in a safe and ef?cient manner.

betWeen an upper edge of the WindoW glass and a corre

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

sponding top portion of the WindoW frame; and (ii) raising

10

PoWer WindoWs are standard equipment in many vehicles

gall

manufactured at the present time. An important problem in

poWer WindoW systems relates to pinch force, Which is

Step 104 includes four sub-steps described as folloWs: (a)

de?ned as the force that is exerted upon an obstruction (e.g.,

a persons head) that is introduced betWeen the WindoW

glass and the WindoW frame While the WindoW is closing.
One accepted speci?cation is that, While the WindoW gap
(i.e., the distance betWeen an upper edge of the WindoW
glass and a corresponding top portion of the WindoW frame)
is betWeen 4 millimeters
and 30 mm (i.e., the pinch
region), the pinch force must not exceed 100 neWtons.

15

In some existing poWer WindoW systems, the shaft of the

electric motor driving the WindoW generally rotates too fast
to be stopped in time to avoid exceeding a 100 neWton pinch
force. This is a consequence of the fact that conventional
poWer WindoW motors have considerable inertia and thus do

(104) the WindoW at a speed, s, dependent upon the WindoW

When the WindoW gap, y, is greater than a ?rst value (e.g.,

60 millimeters), s is set at a ?rst speed, s1, as described by

106,108; (b) When y is less than the ?rst value but greater
than a second value (e.g., When 60 mmy>30 mm), s is set
at a second speed, s2, that is less than s1, as described by
110,112; (c) When y is less than the second value but greater
than a third value (e.g., When 30 mmy>4 mm), s is set at
a third speed, s3, that is less than s1 and s2, as described by
114,116; and (d) When y is less than the third value but
greater than Zero (e.g., When 4 mmy>0), s is set at a fourth

speed, s4, that is greater than s3, as described by 118,120.

25

When y reaches Zero, the WindoW is closed and s obviously

equals Zero.

not sloW doWn instantaneously. Therefore, to avoid exceed

In sub-step (a), s1 is preferably equal to full speed, as the

WindoW is then in the ?rst part of the closing cycle and is not

ing the maximum alloWable pinch force, it is necessary that

the WindoW speed be limited While the WindoW is being

yet approaching the pinch region (e.g., 30 mmy>4

raised through the pinch region.

WindoW rise quickly so as to minimiZe the total time that it

takes to close the WindoW.

One approach is to simply hold the speed at a constant loW

level over the full range of travel. Unfortunately, this

In sub-step (b), s2 is preferably a function, f(y), of the

approach has the disadvantage of signi?cantly increasing the

WindoW gap, and is reduced as y is reduced from the ?rst

amount of time it takes to close the WindoW, Which can be

a major inconvenience (e.g., upon leaving a toll booth). A

need exists for an approach that satis?es anti-pinch

35

The

reduction in s2 can be effected in either a continuous manner

the pinch region (e.g., 30 mmy>4 mm), the WindoW speed

Additionally, in many prior art systems, the speed at

Which the WindoW closes is critically dependent upon the

is reduced to a safe level.

In sub-step (c), s3 is preferably set at a minimum speed

because the WindoW is then in the pinch region. The mini

battery voltage, Which can vary over an appreciable range.

For example, in systems that close the WindoW at a uniform

mum speed, s3, is set at a predetermined level such that, if

a physical obstruction is introduced betWeen the WindoW
45

speed at Which the WindoW closes. Thus, there is also a need

for an approach that at least partially compensates for
variations in battery voltage so that the amount of time that
it takes to close the WindoW is less negatively impacted.

frame and the upper edge of the WindoW glass When, e.g., 30
mmy>4 mm, the pinch force exerted on the obstruction by
the WindoW Will be limited to less than about one hundred

neWtons. In practice, the predetermined level for s3 that

ensures a pinch force of less than 100 neWtons is dictated by

the characteristics (e.g., torque and inertia) of the motor and

the mass of the load (i.e., the WindoW glass, etc.) driven by

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

the motor.

FIG. 1 is a ?oWchart that describes a method for closing

a motor-driven WindoW, in accordance With a preferred

embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plot of WindoW speed versus WindoW gap, in
accordance With a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.

value (e.g., 60 mm) to the second value (e.g., 30

or in a substantially stepWise manner; the latter approach is

illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, by the time the WindoW reaches

requirements, but that does so in a manner that still alloWs

the WindoW to close in a reasonably fast manner.

speed (Which must be relatively loW in order to satisfy

anti-pinch requirements), a reduction in battery voltage has
the undesirable effect of further decreasing the already loW

In

this ?rst part of the closing cycle, it is desired that the

55

In sub-step (d), s 4 is preferably equal to full speed in order

to ensure adequate closure (i.e., a good seal) betWeen the
WindoW and the rubber molding on the top portion of the
WindoW frame.

FIG. 2 illustrates hoW, in the preferred method, the speed

at Which the WindoW is raised changes as a function of the

FIG. 3 is a plot of motor voltage versus WindoW gap, in

accordance With a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram description of a poWer-WindoW
system, in accordance With a preferred embodiment of the

WindoW gap. Although described as such in FIG. 2, the

stepWise reductions in speed that occur When y is betWeen

present invention.
FIG. 5 describes a look-up table that yields duty cycle as

manner; rather, a ?nite amount of time is required in order

to effect a change in the speed from one value to another.

a function of WindoW gap and battery voltage, in accordance

With a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

60 mm and 30 mm need not be uniform. Note that, because

the WindoW is driven by an electric motor having a ?nite

inertia, the speed does not change in a strictly instantaneous

65

In describing method 100, the preceding discussion

speaks in terms of WindoW speed. Alternatively, method 100

US 6,366,042 B1
3

can be described in terms of the voltage applied to a motor

the WindoW gap. It is not necessary that the sensor provide

a direct measurement of the WindoW gap as previously
de?ned herein; for eXample, the sensor may track the

that opens and closes the WindoW, Wherein the speed at

Which the WindoW closes is a function of the voltage applied
to the motor. Referring again to FIG. 1, method 100 com
prises tWo main steps:
determining (102) a WindoW gap

positions of one or more reference points on the WindoW

glass, Which can then be readily translated into the value of

the WindoW gap simply by adding an appropriate numerical

de?ned as a distance, y, betWeen an upper edge of the

offset.
Battery 420 supplies a battery voltage, VB, and serves as
the source of energy for opening and closing the WindoW. In

WindoW glass and a corresponding top portion of the Win

doW frame; and (ii) adjusting (104) the voltage, V, applied

to the motor in dependence on the WindoW gap.
Step 104 includes four sub-steps that are described as

folloWs: (a) When the WindoW gap, y, is greater than a ?rst

value (e.g., 60 millimeters), V is set at a ?rst voltage, V1, as
described by 106,108; (b) When y is less than the ?rst value
but greater than a second value (e.g., When 60 mmy>30
mm), V is set at a second voltage, V2, that is monotonically
adjusted as y is reduced, as described by 110,112; (c) When
y is less than the second value but greater than a third value
(e.g., When 30 mmy>4 mm), V is set at a third voltage, V3,
as described by 114,116; and (d) When y is less than the third
value but greater than Zero (e.g., When 4 mmy>0), V is set
at a fourth voltage, V4, as described by 118,120. When y

10

15

to be a function of the drive voltage, V. Preferably, for a

given mechanical load on the shaft, an increase in V effec
tuates an increase in the rotational speed of the shaft, and a
decrease in V effectuates a decrease in the rotational speed

of the shaft. Mechanical assembly 440 couples the shaft of

electric motor 430 to the WindoW glass of WindoW assembly
410 such that rotation of the shaft in one direction loWers

(i.e., opens) the WindoW, and rotation of the shaft in the

reaches Zero, the WindoW is closed and V is set equal to Zero.

opposite direction raises (i.e., closed) the WindoW.

Preferably, the relationship betWeen motor voltage and

WindoW speed is direct. That is, an increase in the motor
voltage effectuates an increase in the WindoW speed, While

a vehicle application, battery 420 is simply the eXisting 12

volt main battery installed in the vehicle.
Electric motor 430 has a rotatable shaft (not shoWn) and
a pair of input terminals 432,434 for receiving a drive
voltage, V. The speed of rotation of the shaft is understood

25

a reduction in the motor voltage effectuates a decrease in the

Control circuit 450 is coupled betWeen battery 420 and

input terminals 432,434 of electric motor 430. Control
circuit 450 has a control input 452 for receiving a signal
from the sensor that is indicative of the WindoW gap. During

WindoW speed.
In sub-step (a), V1 is preferably equal to full voltage, as

operation, control circuit 450 supplies drive voltage, V, to

the WindoW is in the ?rst part of the closing cycle and is not

motor 430 in dependence on the WindoW gap as folloWs: (a)

When the WindoW gap, y, is greater than a ?rst value (e.g.,

yet approaching the pinch region. In the ?rst part of the

When y>60 mm), V is set at a ?rst voltage, V1; (b) When y

closing cycle, it is desired that the WindoW move very

is less than the ?rst value but greater than a second value

quickly so as to minimiZe the total time that it takes to close

(e.g., When 60 mmy>30 mm), V is set at a second voltage,

V2, that is monotonically adjusted as y is reduced; (c) When

the WindoW.

In sub-step (b), V2 is preferably a function, g(y), of the

WindoW gap, y, and is reduced as y is reduced from the ?rst

value (e.g., 60 mm) to the second value (e.g., 30

35

The

y is less than the second value but greater than a third value

(e.g., When 30 mmy>4 mm), V is set at a third voltage, V3;

and (d) When y is less than the third value but greater than
Zero (e.g., When 4 mmy>0), V is set at a fourth voltage, V4.

reduction in V2 can be effected in either a continuous

manner or in a substantially stepWise manner; the latter

When y reaches Zero, the WindoW is completely closed and

approach is illustrated in FIG. 3, Where V2 is reduced via

V is set to Zero.

multiple stepWise reductions as y is reduced from 60 mm to

V1 is preferably equal to full voltage, as the WindoW is

then in the ?rst part of the closing cycle and is not yet

30 mm.

approaching the pinch region. In this ?rst part of the closing

In sub-step (c), V3 is preferably set equal to minimum

voltage because the WindoW is then in the pinch region. The

cycle, it is desired that the WindoW move very quickly so as

minimum voltage, V3, is set at a predetermined level such 45 to minimiZe the total time that it takes to close the WindoW.

that, if a physical obstruction is introduced betWeen the

WindoW frame and the upper edge of the WindoW glass
When, e.g., 30 mmy>4 mm, the pinch force eXerted on the
obstruction by the WindoW Will be limited to less than about
100 neWtons. In practice, the predetermined level for V3 that

V2 is preferably a function, g(y), of the WindoW gap, y,

and is reduced as y is reduced from the ?rst value (e.g., 60

mm) to the second value (e.g., 30

The reduction in V2

can be effected in either a continuous manner or in a

ensures a pinch force of less than 100 neWtons is dictated by

substantially stepWise manner; the latter approach is illus

trated in FIG. 3, Where V2 is reduced via multiple stepWise

the characteristics (e.g., torque, speed, and inertia) of the

reductions as y is reduced from 60 mm to 30 mm.

motor and the mass of the load (i.e., the WindoW glass, etc.)
driven by the motor.

WindoW is then in the pinch region. The minimum speed, V3,

In sub-step (d), V4 is preferably equal to full voltage in

V3 is preferably set at a minimum voltage because the

55

order to ensure adequate closure (i.e., a good seal) betWeen

the WindoW and the rubber molding on the top portion of the

upper edge of the WindoW glass When, e.g., 30 mmy>4

WindoW frame.
Turning noW to FIG. 4, a vehicle poWer-WindoW system
400 comprises: a WindoW assembly 410, a battery 420, an
electric motor 430, a mechanical assembly 440, and a
control circuit 450.
WindoW assembly 410 includes WindoW glass, a WindoW
frame, and a sensor (not shoWn). The distance betWeen an

upper edge of the WindoW glass and a corresponding top

portion of the WindoW frame de?nes a WindoW gap. During
operation, the sensor provides a signal that is indicative of

is set at a predetermined level such that, if a physical

obstruction is introduced betWeen the WindoW frame and the

mm, the pinch force eXerted on the obstruction by the

WindoW Will be limited to less than about one hundred

neWtons. In practice, the predetermined level for V3 that

ensures a pinch force of less than 100 neWtons is dictated by

the characteristics (e.g., torque, speed, and inertia) of the

65

motor and the mass of the load (i.e., the WindoW glass, etc.)
driven by the motor.
V4 is preferably equal to fall voltage in order to ensure

adequate closure (i.e., a good seal) betWeen the WindoW and

the rubber molding on the top portion of the WindoW frame.

US 6,366,042 B1
6

5
Referring again to FIG. 4, control circuit 450 preferably

a second speed that is less than the ?rst speed, While the
WindoW gap is less than the ?rst value but greater

comprises a regulator circuit 460 and a processor 470.

Regulator circuit 460 is coupled betWeen battery 420 and

input terminals 432,434 of electric motor 430. Regulator

than a second value;

a third speed that is less than the ?rst speed and the
second speed, While the WindoW gap is less than the
second value but greater than the third value; and
a fourth speed that is greater than the third speed, While
the WindoW gap is less than the third value but

circuit 460 has a duty cycle, 8 that is adjusted in response to

the values of the WindoW gap, y, and the battery voltage, VB.
The drive voltage, V, supplied to electric motor 430 is then
a function of the battery voltage, VB, and the duty cycle, 6.

In practice, regulator circuit 460 may be implemented using

greater than Zero.

any of a number of knoWn topologies, such as a bridge-type

2. The method of claim 1, Wherein the second speed is

sWitching regulator, Well knoWn to those skilled in the art.

Preferably, the drive voltage, V, supplied to electric motor

430 by control circuit 450 is substantially unaffected by at
least some changes in the battery voltage, VB. For eXample,
an increase in VB (e.g., above its nominal value of 12 volts)
is met by a decrease in the duty cycle, 6, of regulator circuit
460, such that the drive voltage, V, remains unchanged.
Processor 470 is coupled to regulator circuit 460, battery
420, and control input 452. Processor 470 implements a

reduced as the WindoW gap is reduced from the ?rst value to

the second value.

3. The method of claim 1, Wherein the second speed is

reduced in a substantially stepWise manner as the WindoW
15 gap is reduced from the ?rst value to the second value.

4. The method of claim 1, Wherein the third speed is set

at a predetermined level such that, in response to a physical
obstruction introduced betWeen the WindoW frame and the

upper edge of the WindoW glass While the WindoW gap is

betWeen the second value and the third value, the pinch force

look-up table, such as that Which is described in FIG. 5, that

yields values for the duty cycle, 6, corresponding to prede

exerted on the obstruction by the WindoW Will be limited to

termined combinations of values for the WindoW gap, y, and

less than about one hundred neWtons.

the battery voltage, VB. Use of a look-up table is preferred

over other alternatives (e.g., such as computing the duty
cycle on a real-time basis) because it is fast and capable of
being implemented in a loW cost manner (e. g., processor 470
may be realiZed using an inexpensive 8-bit processor).
Referring to FIG. 5, the look-up table serves tWo main
functions. First, for a given battery voltage, it reduces the

25

duty cycle (and, thus, the drive voltage supplied to the motor
and the resulting speed at Which the WindoW closes) as the
WindoW gap is reduced from 60 mm to 30 mm. Second, for

at least some changes in the battery voltage, it adjusts the

duty cycle so as to minimiZe or prevent any change in the

drive voltage supplied to the motor. For eXample, When

y=30 mm and VB=12 volts (i.e., nominal value), 6=95%. If

35

VB suddenly increases (or, alternatively, if VB Was higher

electric motor and at a speed that is a function of a voltage

than nominal to begin With) to, say, 14 volts, the look-up

table calls for a reduced duty cycle of 84%. Because the duty
cycle has been reduced from 95% to 84%, the drive voltage,
V, supplied to the motor remains substantially unchanged in
spite of the increase in VB from 12 volts to 14 volts.
It should be appreciated that the look-up table described
in FIG. 5 gives values for the duty cycle that are suitable
When regulator circuit 460 is implemented as a bridge-type

(e.g., h-bridge) sWitching regulator. The duty cycle values

applied to the electric motor, a method for closing the

WindoW, comprising the steps of:

determining a WindoW gap, Wherein the WindoW gap is
de?ned as a distance betWeen an upper edge of the

WindoW glass and a corresponding top portion of the

WindoW frame; and
adjusting the voltage applied to the electric motor in
45

in the table of FIG. 5 correspond to the duty cycle of the

sWitches in the sWitching regulator.

The disclosed method 100 and system 400 thus provide

Although the present invention has been described With

reference to certain preferred embodiments, numerous

voltage; and
55

voltage.

determining a WindoW gap, Wherein the WindoW gap is

de?ned as a distance betWeen an upper edge of the

WindoW glass and a corresponding top portion of the

WindoW frame; and
raising the WindoW at a speed dependent upon the WindoW

value;

When the WindoW gap is less than the third value but
greater than Zero, the voltage is set at a fourth

7. The method of claim 6, Wherein:

an increase in the voltage applied to the electric motor
effectuates an increase in the speed at Which the Win
doW closes; and
a reduction in the voltage applied to the electric motor

method comprising the steps of:

gap, Wherein the speed is set at:

a ?rst speed, While the WindoW gap is greater than a ?rst

dependence on the WindoW gap, Wherein:

When the WindoW gap is greater than a ?rst value, the
voltage is set at a ?rst voltage;
When the WindoW gap is less than the ?rst value but
greater than a second value, the voltage is set at a

second voltage that is monotonically adjusted as the

WindoW gap is reduced;
When the WindoW gap is less than the second value but
greater than a third value, the voltage is set at third

for closing of a poWer WindoW in a safe and ef?cient manner.

modi?cations and variations can be made by those skilled in

the art Without departing from the novel spirit and scope of
this invention.
What is claimed is:
1. A method for closing a motor-driven WindoW, the
WindoW comprising WindoW glass and a WindoW frame, the

5. The method of claim 1, Wherein:

the ?rst value corresponds to a WindoW gap of greater than
about 60 millimeters;
the second value corresponds to a WindoW gap of less than
about 60 millimeters and greater than about 30 milli
meters;
the third value corresponds to a WindoW gap of less than
about 30 millimeters and greater than about 4 millime
ters; and
the fourth value corresponds to a WindoW gap of less than
about 4 millimeters.
6. In a system Wherein a WindoW, comprising WindoW
glass and a WindoW frame, is opened and closed via an

effectuates a reduction on the speed at Which the

65

WindoW closes.
8. The method of claim 7, Wherein:

the third voltage is substantially less than the ?rst voltage;

and

US 6,366,042 B1
8

When the WindoW gap is less than the third value but
greater than Zero, the drive voltage is set at a fourth

as the WindoW gap is reduced from the ?rst value to the

second value, the second voltage is reduced from an

initial value approximately equal to the ?rst voltage to
a ?nal value approximately equal to the third voltage.
9. The method of claim 8, Wherein the second voltage is
reduced via multiple stepWise reductions as the WindoW gap

voltage.
13. The system of claim 12, Wherein:
the third voltage is substantially less than the ?rst voltage;
and
as the WindoW gap is reduced from the ?rst value to the

is reduced from the ?rst value to the second value.

10. The method of claim 6, Wherein the third voltage is

selected such that, in response to introduction of a physical
obstruction betWeen the WindoW frame and the upper edge
of the WindoW glass While the WindoW gap is betWeen the
second value and the third value, the pinch force exerted on
the obstruction by the WindoW Will be limited to less than

10

about one hundred neWtons.

11.
the
the
the

The method of claim 6, Wherein:

?rst value is about 60 millimeters;
second value is about 30 millimeters; and
third value is about 4 millimeters.

15

a WindoW assembly comprising: WindoW glass, a WindoW

frame, and a sensor, Wherein the distance betWeen an

25

of the WindoW gap;

a battery operable to supply a battery voltage;

17. The system of claim 12, Wherein the control circuit

input terminals adapted to receive a drive voltage,

comprises a regulator circuit coupled betWeen the battery

and the input terminals of the electric motor, the regulator
circuit having a duty cycle that is adjusted in response to the
values of the WindoW gap and the battery voltage.
18. The system of claim 17, Wherein the drive voltage

Wherein the speed of rotation of the shaft is a function

the sensor that is indicative of the WindoW gap, and is

operable to supply drive voltage to the electric motor in

dependence on the WindoW gap, Wherein:
When the WindoW gap is greater than a ?rst value, the
drive voltage is set at a ?rst voltage;
When the WindoW gap is less than the ?rst value but
greater than a second value, the drive voltage is set
at a second voltage that is monotonically adjusted as
the WindoW gap is reduced;
When the WindoW gap is less than the second value but
greater than a third value, the drive voltage is set at

third voltage; and

15. The method of claim 12, Wherein:

the ?rst value is about 60 millimeters;
the second value is about 30 millimeters; and
the third value is about 4 millimeters.
16. The system of claim 12, Wherein the drive voltage
supplied to the electric motor by the control circuit is
substantially unaffected by at least some changes in the

battery voltage.

an electric motor having a rotatable shaft and a pair of

of the drive voltage;

a mechanical assembly coupling the shaft of the electric
motor to the WindoW, and operable to open and close
the WindoW in response to rotation of the shaft; and
a control circuit coupled betWeen the battery and the input
terminals of the electric motor, Wherein the control
circuit has a control input for receiving the signal from

selected such that, in response to introduction of a physical

obstruction betWeen the WindoW frame and the upper edge
of the WindoW glass While the WindoW gap is betWeen the
second value and the third value, the pinch force applied to
the obstruction by the WindoW Will be limited to less than
about one hundred neWtons.

12. A vehicle poWer-WindoW system, comprising:

upper edge of the WindoW glass and a corresponding
top portion of the WindoW frame de?nes a WindoW gap,
and the sensor is operable to provide a signal indicative

second value, the second voltage is reduced via mul

tiple stepWise reductions from an initial value that is
approximately equal to the ?rst voltage to a ?nal value
that is approximately equal to the third voltage.
14. The method of claim 12, Wherein the third voltage is

35

supplied to the electric motor is a function of the battery

voltage and the duty cycle of the regulator circuit.

19. The system of claim 17, Wherein the control circuit
further comprises a processor that is coupled to the regulator

circuit, the battery, and the control input, Wherein the

processor implements a look-up table that yields values for

the duty cycle corresponding to predetermined combinations

of values for the WindoW gap and the battery voltage.
20. The system of claim 19, Wherein, in response to an
increase in the battery voltage above its nominal value, the
processor reduces the duty cycle of the regulator circuit such
that the drive voltage supplied to the electric motor remains
substantially unaffected by the increase in the battery volt
age.